M&A volumes jump as US bidders snap up UK tech July 2, 2025 US private equity firms are continuing to swoop for UK tech companies leading to a jump in merger and acquisition (M&A) volumes. Giants from across the Atlantic have taken a heightened interest in UK stock, which analysts pegged to the “cheap and undervalued” nature of equities. UK public M&A activity almost tripled in the first [...]
Bond markets calm despite government benefits u-turn June 27, 2025 The cost of government borrowing has stayed flat on Friday morning despite the Starmer administration’s costly benefits U-turn blowing a £3bn hole in the UK’s precarious public finances. Gilts – the name for UK government bonds – opened in a muted fashion across the curve. 10-year yields nudged down two basis points (bps) in early [...]
City sends an SOS to fix London markets ‘before it’s too late’ June 26, 2025 Fears over the health of the City’s stock market have been laid bare after trading platform IG became the latest firm to sound the alarm over the “crisis unfolding” on the London bourse. The FTSE 250 firm has launched a “Save our Stock market” initiative – aptly dubbed the SOS campaign – which serves as [...]
FTSE 100 held back by Shell and BP as pound hits three-year high June 24, 2025 The FTSE 100 edged up and the pound hit a new high as investors flocked back to risk on Tuesday, but London’s blue-chip index’s rebound was held back by the falling price of oil. The UK’s flagship index nudged up 0.3 per cent in early trading to around 8,7883. But significant gains were held back [...]
One twist left in the PHP and KKR bidding war for Assura June 23, 2025 The Assura bidding war between KKR and PHP looked to be sealing its final chapter on Monday – but analysts warn there could be one more twist in the saga. Assura said on Monday it had recommended its board to accept a fresh cash offer from PHP, which valued the firm at £1.79bn. The deal [...]
Brent crude could hit $110 if oil flow through Strait of Hormuz halved June 23, 2025 Oil prices could surge to new highs, Goldman Sachs has warned, after the US attacked three sites in Iran spiking fears that a crucial Iranian-controlled waterway could be disrupted. The price of Brent crude oil spiked 5.7 per cent in the aftermath to $81.40 a barrel – marking a five month high. Prices later gave [...]
AIM turns 30: Delistings, doubt and a dose of optimism June 19, 2025 AIM turns 30 today, but birthday celebrations are bound to be overshadowed by swathes of bleak data on the market’s performance. London’s junior stock market has had a woeful period, with projections indicating the index will shrink by a fifth as a result of delisting plans. The number of companies listed on the City’s Alternative [...]
AIM boss: Inheritance tax sums don’t add up June 19, 2025 As AIM celebrates its 30th anniversary the market’s boss is eying a crucial birthday present from the Treasury: tax clarity. AIM shareholders were thrust into the tax spotlight last month after a leaked memo revealed Angela Rayner proposed Chancellor Rachel Reeves slap a series of taxes savers. Scrapping the inheritance tax exemption for AIM shares [...]
Private equity giant KKR returns with final bid for Assura June 11, 2025 UK healthcare property firm Assura has received its “best and final offer” from KKR, which is set to trigger another delisting blow for the London Stock Exchange. Assura has recommended a cash offer from Sana Bidco, a vehicle owned by KKR and Stonepeak, which values the firm at 52.1p per share. Shares in Assura closed [...]
Rolls-Royce shares are champion of FTSE 100, analysts say June 11, 2025 Rolls-Royce shares have become one of the London Stock Exchange’s crown jewels after showing no sign of slowing down its rapid rise. The stock has climbed over 53 per cent since the beginning of the year and nearly doubled from its standing 12 months ago. The firm’s latest rally came on Tuesday after it was [...]